Thought about that but didn't know if wed get separated. Plus I like the idea of getting the back of the car. I doubt we will be in the sleeper except to sleep. How many family bedrooms are on the SW #3? Is the train pretty packed? Haven't booked yet though. Whats everybody's thoughts on this?
Do
NOT book your reservations on line if you go the two roomette route! Call the 1-800-USA-RAIL number to make your reservations. That way, a real human can ensure that you have cross-the-hall room numbers (3-4, 5-6 ... 13/14) (roomettes 11-14 are on thee lower level, 13&14 abut the family room).
Use Amsnag (
http://biketrain.x10.mx/amsnag2.0/amSnag.php) to find the dates with the lowest prices, then call Amtrak and book the dates of your choice. If your dates are flexible, you should be able to save a bundle. As Niemi24s remarked above, the windows on the roomettes are considerably larger than in the family bedroom. Why? Probably structural strength requirements due to the family room location in the car. And with across-the-hall roomettes, it's easy to see out of both sides of the train when the curtains and doors are open to the hallway.
As far as being packed, during summer and holiday seasons, yes. I generally book my vacations for late April or early May to avoid the crowds, but sometimes there's 1 less coach and 1 less sleeper during the 'slow' seasons (Jan-Feb, etc). I've never encountered other than 2 'regular' Superliner sleepers on #3 or #4. As such, there's only 2 family bedrooms on the train. I'm guessing that after the first one gets sold, there's a significant price increase for the last one. Including the crew/dorm car that has 8 roomettes available for passengers, there's 14+14+8 = 36 roomettes on each train.